Easy Make-Ahead Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball (Savory Cheddar & Cream Cheese)
Make this savory cheddar and cream cheese spread into the shape of a pumpkin for a festive fall appetizer centerpiece. It is simple to prepare ahead of time for your Halloween or Thanksgiving gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces blue cheese or goat cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for coating)
- 1 small piece of orange bell pepper or celery stalk (for the stem)
- Kitchen twine or thin string (for shaping lines)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue or goat cheese (if using), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix until completely smooth and well combined.
- Cover the cheese mixture and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up slightly, making it easier to shape.
- Once chilled, remove the mixture from the bowl. Shape the cheese mixture into a round ball, resembling a pumpkin shape.
- Place the chopped nuts on a shallow plate. Roll the cheese ball in the nuts until the entire surface is coated.
- To create the pumpkin ridges, gently press lines into the cheese ball using the edge of a butter knife or by wrapping kitchen twine around the ball at even intervals and pressing lightly.
- Insert the piece of orange bell pepper or celery stalk into the top center of the ball to serve as the stem.
- Refrigerate the finished cheese ball until ready to serve. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or vegetable sticks.
Notes
- You can prepare the cheese mixture up to two days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator before shaping.
- If you do not want to use nuts, coat the ball with finely chopped fresh parsley or dried herbs for color.
- For extra visual appeal, use a small piece of dried chili pepper or a small piece of pretzel stick as the stem instead of bell pepper or celery.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of ball
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 35